An Example of What a Watershed Alliance Does: Westport River

Matt Patrick

A watershed alliance or association has many projects going on at the same time. Here's a sampling in the form of an update from the Westport River Watershed Alliance, in the words of its executive director, Matt Patrick.

• The second phase of the Middle School rain garden/storm water run-off project will begin in July

• The Horsley Witten modeling study of the sources of fecal coliform that close much of the upper West Branch to shell fishing has been completed. We need to confirm the predictions of the computer model with actual testing, meet with the community to give them our findings, get their feedback and then come up with specific remedies that we all can agree upon. We have collaborated with the Town to write a proposal to fund the testing and are awaiting word from the Commonwealth.

• It seems like there is always a new threat to the watershed. This new one is the proposed capping of the Cecil Smith Landfill which happens to be in the very northern portion of our watershed in Dartmouth at the head of the Shingle island River. You would normally think capping a landfill is a good thing but they want to increase the height of it with low-level contaminated fill to a point where it is 65 feet high over 23 acres. We are joining with residents of both towns to fight this capping project. and get DEP to require monitoring wells not only to protect the head waters of the Westport River but also the municipal wells in the area.

• The new culvert connecting the river to Cockeast Pond is working well with more herring going through it than in recent years. Thanks to Westport Fish Commissioners: David Bates, Peter Kastner, George Yeomans for organizing volunteers to count fish going through the runs. Tara Martin, our Conservation Commission Agent, put on her waders and bravely walked through it to ensure it was clear of debris. That's going above and beyond the call.

• We are getting things in place for the Hix Bridge rubble removal project. Retired EPA scientist Ken Perez, has designed an experiment that will bolster our case for State funding. One of Westport's knowledgeable shell fishermen, Crab Manchester, is ably assisting in the effort.

• In early February there were 7 applications for the new Community Septic Management Program low interest loans administered by the Board of Health. We are hoping to get the BOH to recognize that this program can be used to encourage denitrifying septic systems and composting toilets. 

To read more about the Westport River Watershed Alliance, click here to visit their website.